In May 2010, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) awarded the France Nord project 40% funding to explore the feasibility of installing demonstration CCS infrastructure in north central France.

The venture has been developed by a consortium of six of France’s biggest companies, along with three French and two German research agencies – namely Air Liquide, EDF, GdF Suez, Lafarge, Total, Vallourec, BRGM, IFP, INERIS, EIFER and GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.

If installed, the infrastructure would allow industry to assess the cost and feasibility of CCS on a commercial scale in the area, and would potentially be used by several CO2-emitting industries.The project is now undergoing detailed technical studies before choosing a suitable geological storage site in deep saline aquifers. It will also identify appropriate infrastructure to transport CO2 from the industrial facilities to the storage facility.

Financing

The total project cost is €54 million with 40% being funded by ADEME, from its research fund as part of France’s Environment Roundtable process, and 60% being met by the consortium partners.

Timing

Detailed studies will be conducted over two years, after which time the project aims to recommend a suitable storage site, after consultation with key stakeholders.